Abstract

The development of management methods appropriate for the culture of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is essential to improve productivity. This research aimed to evaluate and quantify the development and productivity of chia plants in different row spacing and planting density in Western region of Paraná. As the treatments used were four row spacing (0.15, 0.30, 0.45 and 0.60 m) in three plant densities (200,000, 400,000 and 600,000 plants ha^-1), totaling 12 treatments. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four blocks, in which the vegetative growth and the productivity were evaluated. The results were submitted to the Tukey test (p> 0.05). The number of ears per plant was higher in the population of 40 plants m² with row spacing of 30 and 45 cm, and in the population of 60 plants m², with the row spacing of 15 and 45 cm. The number of spikelets per spike was superior for the population of 40 and 60 plants m^-2 when grown in the row spacing of 15 and 45 cm. The population of 60 plants m² with the row spacing of 15 cm, stood out for thousand grain weight and productivity. Development of variables of chia showed no significant difference.

Key words: Chia, plant population, productivity, row spacing, Salvia hispanica L., vegetative growth.